by admin on January 31, 2010
Caring for an elderly Mom or Dad who has even early stage dementia can be a challenge. Let Home Instead offer you easy solutions.
Probably not a surprise as we’ve been hearing so much in the news these days about dementia and Alzheimer’s, but it’s true. After age 85, nearly half of all seniors will have some cognitive impairment or dementia, typically Alzheimer’s disease. This brain disorder makes it difficult for people to remember, learn and communicate and over time makes it increasingly difficult for seniors to take care of themselves.
Victims of dementia suffer symptoms such as memory loss, a decline in the ability to perform routine tasks or learn new ones, and a loss of language, judgment, and planning skills. Alzheimer’s can even bring about personality changes — for instance, in the case of a formerly social senior who might stop going to parties, church and other events.
Dementia can interfere with the care of a loved one in a number of ways. People with dementia may eat poorly and irregularly and ignore exercise and social activity, all functions that would likely improve their health. Family caregivers are usually the first to recognize that dementia may be developing and should seek medical evaluation as soon as symptoms are recognized.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common — and often heartbreaking — form of dementia, afflicting only about 5 percent of seniors between sixty-five and seventy-four. But nearly half of those over the age of eighty-five may be affected. The disease usually begins slowly with mild memory loss and develops gradually into crippling brain damage with symptoms that can include paranoia.
Alzheimer’s victims typcially live for eight to ten years after being diagnosed with the disease and sometimes for as long as twenty years. So far, no medication or treatment has been successful in reversing or stopping Alzheimer’s, although medications are available that may help delay progression of some of the symptoms. It remains perhaps the most difficult condition to come with in a family setting.
This information has been provided to you through the recent book written by the founders of Home Instead Senior Care, Paul and Lori Hogan, specifically chapter 15 on Complicating Ailments and Issues. The book is entitled Stages of Senior Care: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Best Decisions.
If you’re ready to take the next step with caring for your elderly loved one now, then simply call Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond and we’ll be glad to review your home care needs with a free, professional in-home assessment. We give you many ways to contact us including any time by phone, 804.527.1100, or through our website at http://HomeInstead.com/Richmond-VA. We serve the entire greater Richmond area, including Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Powhatan and more, along with the Northern Neck as we have a second office in Tappahannock.
by admin on January 27, 2010
Home Instead Senior Care can give caregivers peace of mind and help them to reduce stress by providing additional caregiving support
Did you know that 45 million adults are caregivers to a friend or parent over 50 years old? A report released last month by AARP, in conjunction with the MetLife Foundation and the National Alliance for Caregiving, sheds light on this large but often ignored part of American life.
Often these individuals do not call themselves caregivers — they think of themselves simply as “daughter,” “son,” or “friend.”
Many caregivers share some of the same experiences — like emotional stress. Thirty-one percent said they experience a high level of emotional stress from caregiving. Fourteen percent claim physical strain is a problem, but notably16 percent say that caregiving has made their own health worse. Caregivers tend to let taking care of their own selves slide.
Whatever the nature of the stress caregiving exerts on those who provide it, it can be daunting. “It can encompass you,” says Elinor Ginzler, Senior Vice President of AARP. “You can feel you’re the only one doing this.”
Lack of time is another tough issue for caregivers. Fifty percent work full time, while 11 percent work part time. More than half of all caregivers say they have less time for friends or other family members because of their caregiving responsibilities. Caregivers often help with grocery shopping (cited by 75 percent), housework (75 percent), preparing meals (64 percent), managing finances (62 percent) and giving medication (42 percent). “There’s an immense juggling act,” says Ginzler.
Thirty one percent of caregivers “feel they need help or information on finding time for themselves.” But few caregivers use the Internet to find that kind of information. Many said they rarely turned to the Internet or never used it at all to find information that would help with being a caregiver.
This is really unfortunate, as there is so much information available to caregivers, and there are local Richmond resources like Home Instead who can give a caregiver a hand even in an emergency situation, when additional help is needed same day.
At Home Instead Senior Care of Richmond, we haven’t forgotten about all the caregivers out there struggling to get everything done. In fact, we’re here to alleviate the stress caregivers fall under. We offer a variety of services that can lighten your load, and help you be a “daughter,” “son,” or “friend” to your loved one, rather than a person overwhelmed by responsibilities.
Find out more about the services and care we offer today. Simply call us at 804.527.1100 for a free, no-obligation home care assessment. You’ll be glad you did.
